Spring planting getting one of its slowest starts in years

Northeast Iowa's winter that refused to go away and spring that arrived, then disappeared, then arrived, then disappeared might be frustrating to those of us living in town, but for area farmers it's been especially frustrating.

The latest Iowa Crop Progres and Condition Report from the USDA says 46 percent of corn has been planted in Northeast Iowa as of Sunday.  That's quite an improvement from last week's report, which listed only 3 percent of corn planted.  But it's still the lowest percentage in 19 years.

ISU Extension Agronomist Brian Lang, who works out of the Decorah office, says there was "pretty good progress" made last week--but then the rains came.  Lang says soil temperatures have reached the point that they are no longer an issue--but finding time that planting can be done still is difficult for many area farmers.

Several consecutive days with warm and dry weather would be appreciated--but rain is in the forecast again for Thursday and Friday.